Former Wexford boss Ryan set for Wicklow job
JASON RYAN looks set for a return to inter-county management with confirmation of his appointment as Wicklow manager expected soon.
Ryan was manager of Kildare in 2014 and 2015 having previously been assistant to Kieran McGeeney during his last year in 2013.
Prior to that he had been Wexford manager for five years, taking them to an All-Ireland semi-final in 2008 and Leinster finals in 2008 and 2011.
Former Dublin footballer Johnny Magee stepped down from the Wicklow position after three years in charge following their exit from the championship to Laois.
Wicklow’s only competitive win in 2017 was against London in the Division Four of the Allianz League.
Magee had to oversee a period of significant change during his time in charge and in his championship matches, three provincial and three qualifiers, he handed out more than 20 debuts as the county experienced quite a turnover in personnel.
Wicklow have been trying to get their house in order on a broad scale and former Dublin manager Pat Gilroy has been chairing a committee set up to examine all aspects of the game in the county.
Meanwhile, a three-man committee has been set up in Laois to seek a new football manager after Peter Creedon’s departure.
Laois slumped to Division Four and then lost to Kildare and Clare in the championship.
Comments at a county board meeting about a drinking culture among Laois players were subsequently strongly rejected by Creedon after he stepped down.
Former goalkeeper and selector Fergal Byron, another former selector Donie Norton, and businessman Mick Murphy have been tasked with finding a suitable candidate as Laois go in search of a fourth manager in five years.
Cavan manager Mattie McGleenan is staying on and could have former players Dermot McCabe and Jason O’Reilly in as selectors in the near future.
McCabe and O’Reilly were part of the last Cavan team to win an Ulster title in 1997.
Elsewhere, Cork star Gemma O’Connor is an injury doubt for the All-Ireland camogie final against Kilkenny.
The half-back suffered a knee injury in the second half of her team’s victory against Galway and faces an anxious wait on the results of a scan later this week.